This article profiles the Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 (70-341) exam, which tests proficiency with the new roles, requirements, and architectural changes found in Exchange Server 2013. Pearson IT Certification provides a variety of exam preparation tools to help our customers in their quest for certification. As part of our service to you, we have developed this Exam Profile series. Each profile is developed based on the testing experience of one of our trainers or authors. You won’t get exact questions or answers, but you will get a real feel for the exam. Each profile describes question forms, trouble spots, hints for exam preparation, and recommendations for additional study resources. Find out what you can expect to see on the exam and how you can better prepare for it.

Although much of Exchange Server 2013 remains unchanged from Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft has made some major architectural changes with regard to server roles and system requirements. As such, those wishing to prove their proficiency with Exchange Server would be wise to take exam 70-341: Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013.

Exam Details

Number of questions: Microsoft does not disclose the number of questions on their certification exams, but this exam is estimated to have about 50 questions.

Type(s) of questions: Microsoft does not disclose the exam format, but the bulk of the exam is reported to be made up of multiple choice questions. You may also encounter simulations, reorder, or build a tree questions.

Passing score: 700/1000

Time limit: Microsoft does not disclose the time limit for their exams, but most exams have a time limit of about two hours.

How to register: Prometric

Trouble Spots

Exam 70-341 is a basic skills exam for Exchange Server 2013. That being the case, most of the material on the exam is relatively straightforward. However, there is one area that could be potentially problematic to those taking the exam.

Although the exam content focuses solely on Exchange Server 2013, the exam does require a bit of knowledge about legacy Exchange Server deployments. This exam focuses heavily on installation and installation planning. Part of that is making sure that Exchange Server 2013 will be able to work with your existing Exchange Server infrastructure. Therefore, make sure that you spend some time learning about backward compatibility and coexistence.

Likewise, make sure that you spend plenty of time learning about the new Exchange Server roles. Exchange Server 2007 and Exchange Server 2010 both used five server roles. In Exchange Server 2013, these five roles have been condensed into two. You will need to know what these new roles are, what they do, and how they equate to the roles that were previously available.